PokerStars has become the first international online gambling operator licensed by the local gambling regulator for operating in the newly regulated Czech iGaming market. Amaya Inc, the owner of PokerStars, has been received a Live Games license from the Czech State Supervision of Gambling and Lotteries Department (CSSGLD) on January 28.

In accordance with the license, PokerStars provides local gamblers with access to its tournament and cash games, as well as a number of casino games, including roulette and blackjack, across desktop and mobile.

The Czech Republic became the second jurisdiction with newly updated gaming legislation, which gave the ‘green light’ to PokerStars. Last year, poker room has been warmly welcomed in the Portuguese online gambling market. In December 2016, PokerStars launched its web site within the domain extension .pt and becoming the first licensed international poker room in Portugal.

New Czech Gambling Act entered into force on January 1, 2017. According to the low, foreign gambling operators must be licensed by the CSSGLD to provide their services for Czech residents.

As a reminder, in late January, the Czech branch of international NGO Transparency International revealed 25 online gambling companies, operating without the necessary license on the local market.